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Commission hears downtown development updates: 222 East Green overlay approved, Vince’s Seafood interest, and post-construction reports planned
Summary
At the March 5 Westminster Historic District Commission meeting staff updated commissioners that a zoning/overlay approval for 222 East Green Street was granted by the Mayor and Common Council, developer interest in new condominiums and downtown redevelopment continues, and a completed house-repair project (160 West Main Street) will return for post-construction tax-credit review in April.
Commissioners received several updates about downtown and near-downtown development at the March 5 meeting.
Staff reported that the overlay (neighborhood or zoning overlay) for 222 East Green Street received approval from the Mayor and Common Council; the approval allows the applicant to proceed toward a site development plan and engineering review. Staff said that the project includes four-story elements and that the design was revised to add relief that makes portions read more like rowhomes rather than a flat façade.
Separately, staff said there is developer interest in creating a 2-over-2 condominium product behind the diner and car wash off Route 140, and that the city is attracting residential market-rate development now that municipal water is available. The city also owns at least one parcel under consideration for redevelopment.
Vince’s Seafood building
Staff said a party has an active demolition permit for interior work at Vince’s Seafood; the applicant aims to retain the existing building exterior but will submit exterior architectural drawings to the Historic District Commission for review before any significant changes are permitted.
Post-construction report and other items
Tim Kyle’s work at 160 West Main Street — chimney, cottage roof replacement and framing repairs — is complete, staff said; because the owner/contractor could not attend, the item will be scheduled for the April agenda as a post-construction tax-credit report for the commission’s review. Staff also noted the resurgence of local interest in downtown redevelopment after a prior moratorium related to water availability.
No formal actions were taken on these information items at the March meeting; staff said next steps include site-plan engineering reviews for approved overlays and return visits to the commission for any exterior architectural changes or post-construction tax-credit closeouts.
